New Zealand sees tourism increase

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Figures released yesterday by Tourism New Zealand reported a significant growth in the number of international visitors to the country, with a 10 per cent rise in arrivals during the first half of 2013, compared to the same period last year. There was a 3.3 per cent increase in visitors from Britain.

Holiday arrivals from China rose by more than a quarter compared to the same time last year, with a 30.9 per cent growth, while arrivals from the US, the third-largest source of visitors to New Zealand for the year as a whole, also saw a large increase at 20.7 per cent.

There was also an increase in tourists from Japan (7.8 per cent), Australia (6 per cent) and Germany (2.9 per cent). The overall number of international arrivals in the last six months rose by 5.8 per cent on last year and by 5.6 per cent last month.

“It is encouraging to see this growth from our traditional long-haul markets after what has been a difficult few years for the industry,” said Justin Watson, Tourism New Zealand’s acting Chief Executive.